St John’s CE Academy
Governance
The governance of St. John’s is managed by the Local Governing Committee (LGC), which operates under a Scheme of Delegation from the CLT Board. The LGC is composed of:
- Four governors appointed by the CLT Board
- Three governors approved by the Diocese
- Three parent governors
- Two staff governors
- The Executive Headteacher and Clerk attend the LGC as Standing Officers
The role of the LGC
Governors are volunteers who work in partnership with the Executive Headteacher and other members of staff to support and challenge the school to ensure that the children at St John's Academy receive the best education possible.
Governors also contribute to the school’s development plan and have a role in overseeing the financial management of the school. The LGC meets formally six times per year, with occasional additional meetings as required. Members of the LGC take responsibility for supporting and monitoring various aspects of the life of the school that have been highlighted in the school’s development plan as well as key management areas, such as Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Finance.
Cambrian Learning Trust recognises that it is essential for governors to be well-informed and regular Governor Development evenings are arranged so that governors from all the Trust schools get together for discussion and workshops. As well as providing necessary updates and training, these offer opportunities for sharing ideas and best practice. In addition, the Chairs of Governors meet several times during the year.
All of our governors are also responsible for monitoring a specific area of school practice - these roles are agreed in the September LGC meeting each academic year and can be found in the document below.
Please note all materials are available for public inspection upon request. This includes the agendas, approved minutes, reports, documents and other papers considered at each meeting. Requests can be made by contacting the LGC Clerk: kwells@cambrianlt.org
Alan McPherson - Chair of Governors
Trust-appointed Governor and Safeguarding Lead
Term of Office: 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027
The most important thing we can do is to educate our children to become good citizens and lead happy lives. I believe that effective governance adds value to school improvement and supports pupil outcomes.
I became a school governor in 2015 with the intention of making a difference and giving something back to the community. I have developed a practical understanding of what effective governance looks like and how it can be achieved. The critical requirements for a governing body are effective leadership, strategic thinking, alignment of the organisation in depth and breadth, delivery on commitments, a sense of urgency, and compassion.
I have been a governor at 5 schools, including St Johns since July 2023, where I have helped enrol volunteers to become school governors.
My other passion is allotment gardening and I am involved with several gardening associations. I also support Sustainable Wantage, where I am a Director and lead school engagement.
To contact Alan McPherson please email the Clerk to the LGC:
kwells@cambrianlt.org
Trevor Croft - Vice-Chair of Governors
Trust-appointed Governor.
Term of Office: 06/05/2025 – 05/05/2029
Jane Tudor - Diocese-approved Governor
Diocese-approved Governor.
Term of Office: 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2027
I have always been involved in the nurture and education of young people, either through youth work or as an educator. Since qualifying as a secondary science teacher, teaching all sciences with Biology and Chemistry to A level, I have fulfilled several senior roles in independent senior school including Headteacher.
Much of my experience is in curriculum development and management, with oversight of pupil progress, staff performance and development. Other roles have included examining for OCR A Level Chemistry, a member of the Salters Chemistry Club Panel, and most recently as an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. In inspections, I was responsible for compliance, including boarding and safeguarding, and educational compliance and quality, mainly in the sciences and mathematics.
Since retirement, I have helped complete our self-built Eco house, learnt to weave and enjoyed gardening, and on occasion visited some local schools to help lead assemblies. I am very excited to be joining the St John’s governing body and playing my part in establishing an excellent new school in Grove.
Sarah Shackleton - Diocese-approved Governor
Diocese-approved Governor
Term of Office: 22/03/2024 – 21/03/2028
I am delighted to be a Foundation Governor at St John’s and bring a range of experience to the role.
My postgraduate training to become a GP involved long, intense hours of work within tightly knit teams. This was followed by seven years as a stay-at-home mum caring for three children. This included twice uprooting the family and adapting to life abroad – isolating and wonderful in equal measure.
On our return to the UK, I joined a local GP practice where I stayed until retirement. I loved the deep connections and continuity of relationships with patients and staff, realising anew the importance of collaborative teamwork at all levels. I also learned much about both strategic thinking and day-to-day management within an ever-changing regulatory environment.
Throughout my adult life my relationship with God through my Christian faith has been central. I believe we are all completely known, loved and valued by God – who challenges and enables us to be our truest and freest selves. I have been actively involved in St John’s Church in Grove over 25 years, and after retirement was licensed as a Lay Minister by the Oxford Diocese.
My other interests range from hill walking and sailing, to reading and learning something new – currently Ukrainian and playing the ukulele.
Ian Mitchell - Diocese-approved Governor
Diocese-approved Governor.
Term of Office: 25/04/2024 – 24/04/2028
I am delighted to be a Board appointed Governor of St John’s CofE Academy and am particularly excited for the opportunity to serve one of only two ‘through schools’ in Oxfordshire. Prior to this appointment, I had some experience serving as a Parent Governor at Chilton Primary School.
I wanted to become a Governor at St John’s as I am convinced that the strategic oversight from effective governance fosters ongoing school improvement, which ultimately enhances pupil outcomes.
I moved to Grove in 1980, to follow a career with United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Science & Technology Facilities Council at the Harwell Campus. In 2021, I retired from full-time work after almost fifty years in construction engineering, both in the UK and overseas.
My Christian faith is an essential part of who I am and in 2004 I earned a degree in Theology, through distance learning. Since then I have been appointed as a co-leader of the Vale Elim Church (a member of the Elim Pentecostal movement), which meets at St John’s Academy each Sunday.
Megan Wootten - Staff Governor
Staff-appointed Governor
Term of Office: 06/09/2024 – 05/09/2028
I have worked in education for the past 16 years across a range of schools, gaining broad experience of supporting children with diverse needs and helping schools develop and grow.
As a staff governor, I am passionate about supporting the school’s continued growth and development, ensuring that decisions made reflect both the needs of pupils and the lived experiences of staff. I value the opportunity to contribute a staff perspective to governing body discussions and to work collaboratively in the best interests of the whole school community.
My favourite subject to teach is English, as I love seeing children’s imaginations grow and develop through rich literature texts. Supporting children to find their voice, build confidence, and develop a love of reading and writing is something I find incredibly rewarding.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, exploring new places and searching for hidden treasures.
Mohamed Hussein – Parent Governor
Parent-appointed Governor.
Term of Office: 18/12/2025 - 17/12/2029
Lindsay Wood – Parent Governor
Parent-appointed Governor.
Term of Office: 09/02/2026 – 08/02/2030
Chantelle Smith – Parent Governor
Parent-appointed Governor.
Term of Office: 03/03/2026 – 02/03/3030
Resigned in the last 12 months:
Oduwa Abgoneni: Diocese-approved governor (01/12/2024-07/05/2025)
Sarah Henderson: Parent-appointed governor (15/01/2024-08/07/2025)